Georgia homeowner kills python that slithered into backyard

WALTON COUNTY, Ga. — A metro Atlanta homeowner got a big scare when a python slithered into the backyard.

Wildlife officials say the homeowner killed the python in a backyard in Walton County.

The homeowner turned the animal over to their local Department of Natural Resources extension office. Officials said pythons are a non-native species and scanned the snake for a tag.

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Officials said no one reported a missing python, but the animal was most likely a pet someone released who no longer wanted it or after it got too big to care for.

“Releasing exotic pets, like pythons, can have serious negative effects on the natural environment,” officials said. “If you have an exotic pet you can no longer take care of or find an exotic animal, contact your local animal shelter or rescue group to have the pet re-homed. Please do NOT release exotic animals.”

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